Fielding W. Gibson was born in Mississippi in 1809. During the early years of his life, he engaged in farming in Mississippi and Louisiana. In 1851, he traveled from New Orleans, through Mexico to Mazatlan and from there by boat, to San Francisco, and then to the mines were he stayed five months. The scarcity of cattle in the north induced him to go to Mexico where he purchased a herd of cattle, and attempted to drive them to northern California. The Mexicans in his employ, however, stole most of the stock by the time he reached San Gabriel Valley, he had only 82 head left of a herd of 550. Mr. Gibson then determined to settle in the San Gabriel Valley. He purchased from Henry Dalton, 250 acres on which he engaged in general farming and stock raising. This property was located one half mile west of El Monte. In 1861, 62 and 63, he served as county Supervisor. In 1853, he married Betsey Aldrich. He died in 1892, leaving five children, Edward, Fielding, Bruce, Blanche and Gadi.
Source: C. D. Mayon, F. Brow, L. Stoddard, and C. Mudd; El Monte from the Pioneer Days. WPA Project No. N-5740, 1936. In record 19-187072. (California Historical Landmark No. 765: El Monte). On file at the SCCIC, CSU Fullerton.